COVID-19 Resources for NAFO Members

 

The National Alliance of Forest Owners is committed to providing the most up-to-date and accurate information available. If you see information on this page that is outdated or incomplete, please contact Ethan Breitling at ebreitling@NAFOAlliance.org.

This page has been set up as a general resource for centralizing access to publicly available information.  The information has been developed by industry partners, federal agencies, and other entities and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please be sure to consult the appropriate government officials – whether local, state or federal – for the most up-to-date information. You should consult your attorney about proper interpretation of all legal requirements. The terms of any loan or other contract should be carefully reviewed and you should consult your attorney and/ or financial advisor prior to entering into any such contracts.

Workforce Safety

 

CDC

Preparing Businesses and Employers for COVID-19

 

OSHA

 Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

 

NCASI

Coronavirus Information Relevant to the Forest Products Industry

The CDC also provided this letter and additional guidance on safe manufacturing operations.

 

Weyerhaeuser

These policies were developed for use only at Weyerhaeuser facilities and are not intended to be advice or guidance to be used elsewhere.

Weyerhaeuser Site Guidance: Cleaning and Disinfecting for Novel Coronavirus

Weyerhaeuser Site Policy: Prevention and Mitigation Requirements

NAFO MEMBER COMPANY COVID-19 LINKS

Rayonier
Roseburg
Weyerhaeuser

 

If you would like to include or update your company page please contact Ethan Breitling at ebreitling@NAFOAlliance.org.

Small Business

Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

On April 3, 2020, The Small Business Administration (SBA) released an overhauled Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application form (SBA Form 2483) and Treasury posted a draft temporary Interim Final Rule implementing Sections 1102 and 1106 of the CARES Act. SBA has cautioned that additional guidance is still forthcoming on such essential issues as affiliation analysis, loan forgiveness, advance purchase for loans sold in the secondary market, and religious liberty protections under the PPP.

Small Business Administration COVID-19 Loan Application Portal

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Application Form (SBA Form 2483)

Affiliation Rules Applicable to SBA PPP 

Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet

Interim Final Rule Implementing Sections 1102 and 1106 of the CARES Act

 

 

Resource pages for companies operating through the COVID-19 pandemic

Letters for employees in areas under “shelter-in-place” orders

Essential Workforce / Critical Infrastructure

Federal Designation

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), provides regularly updated Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. The CISA Guidance designates “workers who support sawmills and the manufacture and distribution of fiber and forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood and fiber products” as essential workers along with “workers needed to maintain the continuity of these manufacturing functions and associated supply chains.”  CISA’s guidance also identifies workers in residential construction and the supply chain for construction as essential.

DHS LINK: GUIDANCE ON THE ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKFORCE

(Under Sections:  Food and Agriculture & Critical Manufacturing)

State-by-State Designations

  • The Forest Resources Association (FRA) is tracking state-level designations of the forest sector here.
  • The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is tracking state-level designations of the construction industry here.

 

The DHS CISA are asking anyone having specific issues with enforcement at the state and local level with critical infrastructure guidance, transportation guidance, etc. to let them know at cisa.cat@cisa.dhs.gov.

Helpful Federal Policies

Keeping Truckers on the Road:

On March 24, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a Notice of Enforcement Policy and Waiver to address the delays caused by the disruption by the COVID-19 pandemic in renewing licenses. For drivers who had current credentials as of March 1 the actions by the FMSCA allows enforcement discretion in certain cases when a Commercial Learner’s Permit, CDL, or Medical Certificate has expired. The waiver expires on June 30, 2020.

Flexibility for State Limits on Truck Weights:

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Phase 3 package included language allowing states the flexibility to issue special permits for overweight vehicles and loads to allow for the free flow of critical relief supplies during the current coronavirus epidemic for the duration of the fiscal year.  NAFO joined other industries in signing a letter to Governors across the country asking states to increase truck weights on all U.S. highways and Federal Interstate Highways to a minimum of 88,000 pounds.

Expediting H-2 Visa Processing:

On March 26, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided an update on its partnership with the Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expedite the processing of H-2 visas (includes H-2B). These changes allow the majority of H-2 visas of qualified applicants to be adjudicated without an interview. The measures to be implemented include:

  • Authorization of consular officers to expand the categories of H-2 visa applicants whose applications can be adjudicated without an in-person interview. This expansion increases the period which a worker may qualify for an interview waiver whose permit expired from 12 to 48 months, providing the worker did not require a waiver of ineligibility the first time they applied and are applying for the same visa classification.
  • Consular officers can, if they so choose, waive the visa interview requirement for first-time and returning H-2 applicants who have no potential ineligibility.

You will find a listing of FAQs here.

Additional Resources

If you have questions or if you see information on this page that is outdated or incomplete, please contact Ethan Breitling at ebreitling@NAFOAlliance.org.